2006 Annual Report - the Steele Children's Research Center ...

A “MUST READ” FOR EVERY GROWN-UP WHO CARES ABOUT KIDS
Mark Your Calendars!
2007 Events Benefiting
the Steele Center.
April 21
“Children Helping Children”
PANDA Fashion Show (Phoenix)
April 14
Active Women’s 20-30 Club
The Red Carpet Event
June 9
Father’s Day Council
Fathers of the Year Dinner
August 24
Tee Up for Tots Golf Tournament
October 12-13
Raise a Racquet for Kids
For more information about these events, please
visit our Web site at www.steelecenter.arizona.edu.
“We are passionate about improving
the health of our precious children
through teaching, healing and research,
the key to conquering pediatric diseases.”
Fayez K. Ghishan, MD
Director, Steele Children’s Research Center
Steele Children’s Research Center
Department of Pediatrics
PO Box 245073
Tucson, AZ 85724-5073
Danny Lochhead, cancer survivor and
Steele Center patient.
Fifteen years ago, a
vision of hope came to
fruition with the creation
of the Steele Children’s
Research Center. Today,
the children of Southern
Arizona continue to
inspire our physicians and
researchers to discover
better treatments and
cures for devastating
pediatric diseases. In
2007, we’ll celebrate our
15-year anniversary of
successes and continued
commitment to a
healthier future for our
children. This special logo
will be used throughout
the year to commemorate
this milestone.
NON-PROFIT ORG.
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
TUCSON, ARIZONA
PERMIT NO. 190
STEELE CHILDREN’S RESEARCH CENTER
2006
UPDATE
Young Investigator
Discovers Link
between Protein and
Bone Disease
Resident Receives
Grant to Screen
Newborns for
Congenital Heart
Defects
Women’s Active
20-30 Club ‘Red
Carpet Event’ a
Huge Success
Discovery of Protein
that Plays a Role in
Sickle Cell Anemia
and Other Blood
Diseases
Why Research
Matters: A Parent’s
Perspective

2
IN LOVING MEMORY
This annual report is
dedicated to
the memory of
Benny Petz
This annual report is dedicated
to Benny Petz, a charming
little boy who loved motorcycles,
piggies, the colors pink and
purple, playing with his best
friend and brother, Jeremiah,
and eating macaroni and
cheese. Benny passed away
at the young age of 5 from
neuroblastoma—a devastating
solid tumor pediatric cancer.
This sweet little boy with the
soulful eyes and huge heart
profoundly touched all who
knew him. We miss him dearly.
Our thoughts and prayers are
with his family and friends.
Steele Children’s Research Center
The Steele Children’s Research Center is a place where internationally
recognized researchers work together to solve the medical problems of children.
Our pediatricians, who also are faculty members in The University of Arizona
Department of Pediatrics, play a unique role in the community—as physicians,
researchers and teachers. Our goal is to advance medical knowledge to help improve
the health of Arizona’s children and children throughout the world.
Dedicated in 1992, the Steele Children’s Research Center was built with private
funds to advance the health concerns of children. The Steele Center was named in
honor of the late Horace W. Steele of Phoenix. The Steele Foundation donated $2
million to help build the Steele Children’s Research Center. We continue to thrive
with the support of the community.
Only 14 percent of the Steele Center’s budget is covered by state dollars. The
rest comes from clinical income, research grants and philanthropic support.
To learn more about the Steele Children’s Research Center, please visit our Web
site at www.steelecenter.arizona.edu. The Steele Center is proud to be one of the
centers of excellence at The University of Arizona College of Medicine.
The Steele Center: 15 Years of Improving Children’s Health
Letter from the Director: Fayez K. Ghishan, MD
The year 2007 commemorates the 15-year anniversary for the Steele Center! We have grown so much
over the past 15 years as we continue our research efforts to discover novel treatments and cures for pediatric
illnesses and expand clinical services to improve children’s health.
On that note, I am excited to announce that in the spring of 2007, we will open the “PANDA Children’s
Aerodigestive Disorders Center” at the Steele Children’s Research Center. This center has been made
possible by the dedicated work of our volunteer group, the PANDAs—People Acting Now Discover
Answers. It is through their support and hard work that the center has become a reality, and we are so
grateful for this wonderful gift.
The PANDA Children’s Aerodigestive Disorders Center will be both a clinical and research facility. It will
be the only one of its kind in the entire state of Arizona. The center will serve children who are suffering
from eosinophilic gastrointestinal disorders—disorders of the digestive tract caused by allergies to food and
airborne allergens. These disorders are known as “EE” for eosinophilic esophagitis, and “EG” for eosinophilic
gastroenteritis (a more debilitating form of EE). Children with EE or EG often fail to grow, suffer from
nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, choking, cramping and diarrhea. Arizona has far more cases of EE/EG than
the national average, yet there is no place in the western U.S. where children can receive dedicated care for
this painful disease.
I will manage the center with pediatric allergist/immunologist Michael Daines, MD, pediatric
pulmonologist Cori Daines, MD, and a nutritionist. We recently recruited the Daines from Cincinnati
Children’s Hospital, and are excited about the new expertise they bring to the Southwest. Moreover, we will
conduct research to discover better treatments and ultimately a cure for EE/EG. This is an exciting time for
the Steele Center!
I am continually grateful to our volunteer groups—the Arizona Elks Major Projects, Father’s Day Council,
the PANDA’s, the Active Women’s 20/30 Club, the Sara Courtney Memorial Walk/Run, Tee Up For Tots,
Raise a Racquet for Kids and Desert Christian Middle School, who work tirelessly year to year
on behalf of the Steele Center. Your commitment to improving the health of children inspires
and energizes me and I thank you for your support.
Warm Regards,
Fayez K. Ghishan, MD
Horace W. Steele Endowed Chair in Pediatric Research
Director, Steele Children’s Research Center
Professor and Head, UA Department of Pediatrics

Kerri Kislin, PhD, and Ryan Falsey, PhD
Jen Uno, PhD, Jessica Cantrell, April
Lochhead, and Danny Lochhead
WHY RESEARCH MATTERS:
A Parent’s Perspective by April Lochhead
Fox Restaurant Concepts’ SAUCE
Partners with Steele Center to Host
Inaugural ‘Days for Discovery’ Event
to Raise Money for Young Researchers
The Tucson and Phoenix Advisory Boards hosted the inaugural “Days for
Discovery” event on January 28 in Tucson and June 17 in Scottsdale. Steele
Center supporters and friends gathered at the two new Sauce Pizza restaurants
on their grand-opening nights. Participants enjoyed tasty thin-crust pizza,
chopped salad, wine and delicious desserts generously donated by Fox
Restaurant Concepts owner Sam Fox.
“The purpose of Days for Discovery,” says Dr. Fayez K. Ghishan, Director
of the Steele Center, “is to raise money for promising young investigators to
help them launch their careers. By investing in their research early on, we are
laying the foundation for future medical discoveries that will be made by these
innovative and bright individuals,” he says.
Participants were encouraged to support a day, a week, or a month of a
young investigator, and could choose the specific dates to support.
The event raised approximately $29,000 and will fund a graduate student
researcher for one year.
March 11, 2005 is a date forever etched in our memory. It is the day my
husband Ed and I were told that Danny, our 6½ year old son, had a confirmed
diagnosis of Ewing’s Sarcoma. Although Ewing’s—a form of bone cancer—was
considered very “treatable,” it didn’t change our shock and horror of the
treatment road that spread before us. Today, one year later, Danny has
successfully completed 14 rounds of incredibly toxic chemotherapy cocktails
and three surgeries. He is now considered in remission. One year from now he
April, Danny and Ed Lochhead
will be termed cured and hopefully cancer will be behind us.
We are grateful to the Steele Center and for all of the care and concern we received in the pediatric oncology world. If
it weren’t for ongoing research, studies, tests and commitment, Danny may not have survived—not only his cancer, but his
entire ordeal. The funds that support pediatric cancer research at the Steele Center are helping the investigators identify more
effective ways to treat pediatric cancer for patients like Danny. We hope that one day cancer treatments will be less toxic
to children. We watched Danny lose weight and get sicker following each treatment. Only ongoing research can change the
horrible side effects caused to the children who are unfairly inflicted with cancer.
Our pediatric oncologist Dr. Rochelle Bagatell told us in the beginning that in the pediatric world the child has the
disease, but the family has cancer. Our family has survived cancer and we are here to tell the story. Again, thank you Steele
Center for all you do for the patients—past, present and future.
Dr. Uno and Dr. Ghishan
Young Steele
Center
Investigator
Discovers Link
between Protein
and Bone
Disease
Every year, more than 30,000 children are diagnosed with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), a painful
gastrointestinal disorder. IBD is a chronic inflammation of the intestinal tract that causes fatigue, diarrhea,
stomach pain, and weight loss. The two most common forms of IBD are Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, and
they usually strike children and young adults between the ages of 10-19.
But did you know that children and adults suffering from IBD also have an increased risk for bone disease,
like osteoporosis? And for growing children with IBD, healthy bones are critical to their growth. Although reduced
bone mass is a known complication of IBD, the reasons for this are not completely understood.
A new finding at the Steele Center, however, sheds light on this mystery.
Jennifer Uno, PhD, is a promising young Steele
“We have discovered an important
piece of the puzzle. This is the first step
in a very long process to eventually
develop novel therapies to combat bone
disease associated with IBD.”
Center investigator working on a study led by Fayez K.
Ghishan, MD. Dr. Uno made a discovery that advances
the understanding of the relationship between IBD and
osteopenia (decreased bone-mineral density). “It’s pretty
interesting, most people don’t think of a connection
between their bones and their gut, but the two are
inextricably linked,” she says.
What is the connection between IBD and bone-density problems? “Individuals with IBD have uncontrolled
pro-inflammatory cytokines,” says Dr. Uno. Cytokines are proteins involved in the inflammatory response and the
balance between bone-building and bone-destroying cells, known as osteoblasts and osteoclasts.
“Phosphate is one of the main components of your bones, along with calcium—both are needed to develop
strong and healthy bones,” Dr. Uno explains. “One gene that regulates phosphate is named ‘PHEX,’ so we wanted
to discover if PHEX was impacted by cytokines.”
Dr. Uno and her colleagues found that the cytokine ‘TNF-alpha’ down-regulates PHEX. “This is like turning the
light down with a dimmer,” explains Dr. Uno. “TNF-alpha turns down the efficacy of PHEX, so phosphate can’t do
its job to strengthen bones, and consequently they lose density.”
“We have discovered an important piece of the puzzle. This is the first step in a very long process to
eventually develop novel therapies to combat bone disease associated with IBD,” says Dr. Uno.
The study, “The Role of TNF-alpha in Down-Regulation of Osteoblast Phex Gene Expression in Experimental Murine
Colitis” was published recently in the prestigious journal Gastroenterology. “This is a great accomplishment,”
says Dr. Ghishan. He is proud of this aspiring researcher whom he has mentored over the past four years. “Dr. Uno
is an outstanding researcher with a fantastic future ahead of her. I’m expecting more great discoveries from her,”
he says.

6
Women’s Active 20- 0 Club
Red Carpet Event
The Steele Center is honored to have a group of dedicated
young women who give of their valuable time and talents to
improve the lives of children. The Women’s Active 20-30 Club of
Southern Arizona has been raising money for research at the Steele Center since 1987. This
group of professional and highly motivated women—all in their 20s and 30s—have funded
dozens of research projects at the Steele Center including type 1 diabetes, pediatric heart
disorders and pediatric cancer, to name a few.
On April 22, 2006 the 20-30 Club held their 19th annual fund-raising event and first “Red
Carpet Event” at the beautiful La Encantada Shopping Center. More than 250 guests enjoyed
dinner and dancing under the stars, competed in a friendly poker tournament, and bid on
silent auction items. A flavorful array of food options—from Japanese to Italian to Chinese—
was provided by Fuego,
Roma Imports, Firecracker,
Lotus Garden, Eclectic
Pizza, RA and Bluepoint
Kitchen Bar.
“We decided to do
something different this
year, and creating The
Red Carpet Event at La
Encantada made it a
successful and fabulous
event,” says Megan
Donges, president of
the club. “We had a
great turn-out this year
and raised $15,000; $10,000 will be given to a Steele Center project aimed at preventing
obesity in children and $5,000 to the Melody Luyties Endowment. We are so excited with this
opportunity to help local children, and thank the Steele Center for its continuing support of
our club.”
The Women’s Active 20-30 Club of Southern Arizona
Resident Receives Grant
to Screen Newborns for
Congenital Heart Defects
When a child is born, a variety of screening tests
are conducted to detect certain congenital disorders not
visible at birth.
Soon after delivery, the newborn’s hearing is checked
and a blood sample is collected and analyzed. Blood tests
determine if the newborn has one of many metabolic,
blood and hormone disorders, even cystic fibrosis, to name
a few. As many as 30 tests may be conducted on blood
samples, depending on the state the child was born in.
But no test exists to determine if the newborn has a
congenital heart defect.
This apparent gap in newborn screenings inspired
third-year resident Michael Seckeler, MD, to apply
for a grant from the UA Sarver Heart Center to test for
congenital heart defects—one of the most common birth
defects that affect approximately 35,000 newborns every
year.
Dr. Seckeler received the grant to expand his pilot
study currently being conducted at UMC. The goal is to
identify newborns with CCHD—cyanotic congenital heart
disease. CCHD occurs when pure, oxygen-rich blood mixes
with venous blood, resulting in an excess of deoxygenated
blood in the system. These defects often result in heart
failure and even death in untreated infants. Newborns
with CCHD can present with cyanosis or bluish coloration
of the skin, which makes diagnosis easier. “But often,
babies born with CCHD don’t show any symptoms. Their
Pulse oximetry
Dr. Seckeler with a young patient
problems usually emerge within the first four weeks of
life, possibly resulting in congestive heart failure or even
death” says Dr. Seckeler. “This problem can be prevented
with a simple test called pulse oximetry.” Currently,
newborns at UMC are receiving pulse oximetry tests after
24 hours of life, and Dr. Seckeler is using his grant money
to expand this screening to other hospitals in Tucson.
Pulse oximetry is a non-invasive, inexpensive and
simple test conducted on the newborn after 24 hours of
life. It consists of a small, disposable probe attached to
the newborn’s toe for about one minute. Pulse oximetry
measures the percentage of oxygen saturation in the
blood. “This is a potentially life-saving test,” says Dr.
Seckeler. “We believe that routine use of pulse oximetry
in the newborn nursery as a universal screening test will
detect asymptomatic newborns with CCHD,” he explains.
“This will lead to earlier diagnosis, earlier interventions
and improved outcomes for babies with CCHD. This simple
test will provide additional reassurance for parents that
their newborn is going home healthy.”
Dr. Seckeler’s mentor Scott Klewer, MD, Associate
Professor and principal investigator of the study, is proud
of this budding pediatric cardiologist. “Establishing a
simple, informative screening test for newborns will
have a dramatic impact on a large number of babies in
Arizona. This is a unique and valuable opportunity for
a pediatric resident-in-training. Mike’s hard work and
determination have been instrumental for the initiation of
this important project,” he says.
After finishing the residency program at the UA,
Dr. Seckeler will complete a fellowship in pediatric
cardiology. “I’m excited about a career as a pediatric
cardiologist,” says Dr. Seckeler. “This study provides a
great foundation in conducting clinical research, and I’m
grateful for this opportunity.”

“Zoo Baby” on loan to the
Steele Center from the Morse
family collection.
In Memoriam
Sidney Slim Morse
October 27, 1934 – February 1, 2006
The Steele Children’s Research Center lost a good friend on February 1,
2006 when Sidney Slim Morse passed away while undergoing treatment for
leukemia at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore.
Sid and Faye Morse moved to Tucson from Los Angeles in 1994. They
embraced Tucson and quickly became well-known and well-loved members
of our community.
Sid was an advocate for children, healthcare and education. He was
named a 1984 Father of the Year in Los Angeles and was a founding
member of the board of directors of Father’s Day Council Tucson, where he
served for 12 years until his death. Father’s Day Council Tucson has raised
more than $1 million to benefit research dedicated to finding a cure for
type 1 diabetes (formerly known as juvenile diabetes). FDC Tucson pledges
all proceeds from its fundraising efforts to support the type 1 diabetes
program at the Steele Children’s Research Center.
Sid also served on the board of directors of the Pima Community
College Foundation, Outward Bound International, Rotary Club of
Tucson and numerous other organizations. In 2001, he was named
Tucson’s Philanthropist of the Year in recognition of his generosity and
commitment to many charitable causes in our community.
Sid’s generosity has left a lasting legacy at the Steele Center. As
children and their families enter The Arizona Elks Clinic for Children and
Young Adults, they are greeted by Zoo Babies—beautiful photographs of
baby animals from the Morse family collection—that never fail to bring
enjoyment and a smile to the faces of children and adults alike.
– Susan Mannion, Fathers Day Council, Tucson
Steele Center Researchers Discover
Protein Plays Role in Sickle Cell Anemia
and Other Blood Diseases
Steele Center researchers Murray Brilliant, PhD, Lindholm Professor
of Mammalian Genetics, and Orit Cohen-Barak, PhD, Research Assistant
Professor, have discovered that the protein Sox6 is responsible for
silencing—or turning off—epsilon globin—the embryonic form of
beta-globin in hemoglobin. The researchers believe that if epsilon globin
can be “re-expressed” (turned back on), it can limit the harmful effects
of sickle cell anemia and beta-thalassemia, hereditary blood diseases that
affect about 7 percent of the population (primarily African Americans).
Dr. Brilliant was the senior author of the study, “Sox6 Directly
Silences Epsilon Globin Expression in Definitive Erythropoises,” which
recently was published in the peer-reviewed journal PLoS Genetics
(available at www.plosgenetics.org).
“Based on this discovery, we have now laid the foundation to begin
exploring ways to develop new therapies for sickle cell anemia,” Dr. Brilliant
says.
Hemoglobin is the protein in red blood cells responsible for transporting
oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body. Normal red blood cells move
easily through the blood vessels to deliver oxygen.
In sickle cell anemia, genetic mutations in adult beta globin cause the
hemoglobin molecules to stick together in long, rigid rods after they release
oxygen. These rods cause the red blood cells to become hard and sickleshaped.
When these sickle-shaped red blood cells go through small blood
vessels, they clog the flow, depriving the body’s cells of blood and oxygen.
Side effects include anemia (low blood count) pain episodes, strokes, eye
and bone damage.
Hemoglobin consists of “alpha globins” and “beta globins.” During
development from embryo to adult, beta-globins undergo “beta-globin gene
switching”—the transition from embryonic to fetal to adult forms of betaglobin.
This transition results in hemoglobins with a different affinity for
oxygen. Since sickle cell anemia and beta-thalassemia result from mutations
in the adult beta-globin, providing small amounts of normal embryonic
or fetal beta-globins can alleviate some of the detrimental effects of the
abnormal adult globins, as is found in sickle cell anemia.
This is currently accomplished through a chemotherapeutic approach
that uses the drug hydroxyurea. “This chemical causes re-expression of
earlier forms of globin that have been turned off in the adult, providing
needed relief,” says Dr. Brilliant. “But there is a price using hydroxyurea,”
he says. “Sometimes hydroxyurea works well, but oftentimes there are many
negative side effects.
“What we’ve discovered is a genetic ‘switch’ to turn the embryonic form
of beta-globin back on by turning the Sox6 protein off. So, we’ve revealed
a novel and key component of the switch. By tweaking that switch, we’ll be
able to at least partially replace the damaged adult beta globin that sickle
cell anemia individuals suffer from,” he says.

Thank You to Our Volunteer Groups!
The Steele Center is grateful to its wonderful volunteer groups, who
devote countless hours to raise funds for vital research and other
projects at the Steele Center. Your support makes our work possible.
Proceeds from the Active Women’s 20-30
Club “Red Carpet” Event will fund Dr. Tracey
Kurtzman’s “Ready.Set.SmartStart!” program
to prevent obesity in Tucson children through
an office-based program designed to change
attitudes and behaviors in participating
families.
Proceeds from the Arizona Elks Major
Projects continue to support the “Arizona
Elks Endowed Chair in Neonatology.” The
Elks have also donated thousands of toys
to the Arizona Elks Clinic for Children and
Young Adults.
Students from Desert Christian Middle School
held the third annual walkathon to raise money
for pediatric cancer
research.
Father’s Day Council
Tucson “Fathers of the
Year Awards Dinner and Gala” had a
fabulous dinner, silent and live auctions
to honor six outstanding Tucson fathers.
All proceeds raised from this annual event fund type 1 diabetes
research projects.
Funds raised from the Annual PANDA (People
Acting Now Discover Answers) “Children
Helping Children” fashion show will enable the
Steele Center to create the “PANDA Children’s
Aerodigestive Disorders Center,” to treat
children suffering from
eosinophilic esophagitis
(EE), and eosinophilic
gastroenteritis (EG), painful disorders of the
digestive track that have been increasing at
alarming rates in Arizona.
Raise A Racquet for Kids had its most
successful year ever! Funds from this annual
tennis tournament support pediatric cancer
research—specifically the CRCL cancer
vaccine research and 17-DMAG—a potentially
a less toxic chemotherapy.
The Sara Courtney
Memorial Walk/Run had a great turn out
this year, and proceeds will fund ongoing
type 1 diabetes research.
The Tee Up For Tots
Golf Tournament had
another successful
year raising money to
continue to fund its
Courtney Page Zillman Fellow, Jessica
Cantrell, PhD candidate, who is working on
the CRCL cancer vaccine research.
Letter from
2006 Tucson
Man of
the Year,
Dave Sitton
It has been my privilege to be associated with
the Steele Children’s Research Center for nearly a
decade. I learned about the Steele Center through
my participation in the annual Fathers Day Council
Fathers of the Year celebration, which raised money for
juvenile diabetes research.
Another way I have been associated with the
Steele Center is through Tee Up for Tots (TUFTS),
an organization that raises money for pediatric
cancer research. The Zillman family—the founders
of TUFTS—contacted me seven years ago about
supporting their fight against neuroblastoma, the
devastating cancer that took the life of their daughter,
Courtney.
In 2000, Ginny Clements nominated me to be on
the Steele Center Tucson Advisory Board. Since then,
I’ve been directly involved with the Steele Center and
have participated in many events to raise proceeds to
further pediatric medical research.
As I became familiar with the juvenile diabetes
program, my eyes were opened to the incredible world
of research and care provided by the doctors and
researchers at the Steele Center. My relationship with
the Steele Center has grown, as is the case of most
people who have come into contact with it.
Those in the know realize that the Steele Center
is at the front of all of the great campaigns against
children’s diseases. The researchers are world class in
every way.
The children who are in need of specialized
treatments are particularly well served by the Steele
Center. A tour of the center reveals the dedication of
the physician-scientists, the patients and their parents
who are committed to recovery.
All of the Steele Center’s results, both in the
laboratory and at the bedside, are helping move the
world toward a more disease-free, healthier generation
of children.
Only a few entities located in Tucson can be
regarded as world class. The Steele Children’s Research
Center is one of those precious few.
New Faculty Join the
Department of Pediatrics
The Department of Pediatrics
welcomes the following new clinical
and research faculty:
Heather
Cahan, MD,
Assistant
Professor,
Section of
Neonatology
Kimberly
Gerhart, MD,
Assistant
Professor,
Clinical
Pediatrics,
Section
of General
Pediatrics
Matthew
Gollub, MD,
Assistant
Professor,
Clinical
Pediatrics,
Section of
Critical Care
Ronald Grant,
MD, Clinical
Lecturer,
Section of
Hospital
Medicine
Kurt Griffin,
MD, Assistant
Professor,
Section of
Endocrinology
Eliza Holland,
MD, Clinical
Lecturer,
Section of
Hospital
Medicine
Kartik
Krishnan,
MD, Assistant
Professor,
Section of
Hematology/
Oncology
Tracey
Kurtzman,
MD, Assistant
Professor,
Clinical
Pediatrics,
Section
of General
Pediatrics.
Chan Lowe, Jr.,
MD, Assistant
Professor,
Clinical
Pediatrics,
Section of
Hospital
Medicine
Deborah
Reisen,
MD, Clinical
Lecturer,
Section
of General
Pediatrics
Faculty Highlights 2006
Cardiology
Richard Donnerstein, MD, Professor, was
selected as one of the “Best Doctors in
America.”
Scott Klewer, MD, Associate Professor, was
selected as one of the “Best Doctors in
America.” He was co-author on the study,
“Cell biology of cardiac cushion development,”
published in the International Review of
Cytology.
Ricardo Samson, MD, Associate Professor,
was lead author in the landmark study that
was published in The New England Journal of
Medicine, titled “Outcomes of Pediatric In-
Hospital Ventricular Fibrillation.” Dr. Samson
was also selected as one of the “Best Doctors
in America.”
Critical Care
Robert A. Berg, MD, Professor, was senior
author in the landmark study that was
published in The New England Journal of
Medicine, titled “Outcomes of Pediatric In-
Hospital Ventricular Fibrillation.” He was also
as selected as one of the “Best Doctors in
America.”
Marc Berg, MD, Assistant Professor of
Clinical Pediatrics, was promoted to Associate
Professor of Clinical Pediatrics. Dr. Berg was
a co-author in the landmark study that was
published in The New England Journal of
Medicine, titled “Outcomes of Pediatric In-
Hospital Ventricular Fibrillation.”
Juan Gutierrez, MD, Assistant Professor
of Clinical Pediatrics, was promoted to
Associate Professor of Clinical Pediatrics. Dr.
Gutierrez was named one of “America’s Top
Pediatricians” by the Consumers Research
Council and also was selected as one of the
“Best Doctors in America.”
Robyn Meyer, MD, Assistant Professor of
Clinical Pediatrics, was promoted to Associate
Professor of Clinical Pediatrics. She was
lead author on the study titled, “Childhood
drowning,” published in Pediatrics.
Andreas Theodorou, MD, Professor of
Clinical Pediatrics, was selected as one of
the “Best Doctors in America.” Dr. Theodorou
organized the first AHSC “Interprofessional
Communication Class,” a joint exercise
for The University of Arizona Colleges of
Medicine, Nursing, Pharmacy and Arizona
State University School of Social Work. He also
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10 11

was the co-author of the study, “Childhood drowning,”
published in Pediatrics. Dr. Theodorou was the senior
author on the study titled, “Medication errors and adverse
drug events in an intensive care unit: Direct observations
approach for detection,” published in Critical Care
Medicine.
Developmental/Behavioral
Pediatrics
Sydney Rice, MD, MS, Assistant Professor of Clinical
Pediatrics, was awarded the “Furrow Teaching Award for
Graduate Medical Education.”
Gastroenterology
Fayez K. Ghishan, MD, Professor and Head, Department
of Pediatrics; Director, Steele Children’s Research Center,
was associate editor for the landmark textbook, Physiology
of the Gastrointestinal Tract, Volume 1-2, Fourth Edition.
He was invited to serve as a member of the Digestive
Diseases and Nutrition C Subcommittee of the Diabetes
and Digestive and Kidney Diseases Initial Review Group,
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney
Diseases, through 2010. Dr. Ghishan also was selected as
one of the “Best Doctors in America.”
Jennifer Uno, PhD, Postdoctoral Research Associate,
was the lead author on a study that was published in
the journal Gastroenterology, titled, “The Role of TNF in
Down-Regulation of Osteoblast Phex Gene Expression
in Experimental Murine Colitis.” Dr. Uno also received
the FASEB MARC Travel Award 2006, and she received
a “Poster of Distinction” at the Digestive Disease Week,
2006.
General Pediatrics
Karen Davenport, MD, Assistant Professor of Clinical
Pediatrics, was co-author on a study published in
Infectious Disease Clinics of North America, titled
“Botulism: the many faces of botulinum toxin and its
potential for bioterrorism.”
Genetics
Christopher Cunniff, MD, Professor, received a $1.4
million, four-year cooperative agreement from the CDC
to identify the number of children with autism spectrum
disorder and other developmental disabilities in Maricopa
County. Dr. Cunniff also was awarded a five-year, $1.5
million CDC grant for surveillance of Duchenne and Becker
Muscular Dystrophy.
Robert Erickson, MD, Professor, co-authored a study
published in the prestigious online scientific journal
Nature Genetics, titled “Human HOXA1 syndrome disrupts
brainstem, inner ear, cardiovascular and cognitive
development.”
William Garver, PhD, Research Assistant Professor, was
promoted to Research Associate Professor.
Hematology/Oncology
Rochelle Bagatell, MD, Assistant Professor, was promoted to
Associate Professor with tenure. Dr. Bagatell was named Vice
Chair of the Neuroblastoma Biology Committee, appointed to
the Neuroblastoma Steering Committee and appointed chair
of the High Risk Neuroblastoma Task Force of the Children’s
Oncology Group. She also was awarded a five-year NIH grant—
K23 Career Development Award for Patient-Oriented Research.
Emmanuel Katsanis, MD, Professor, Louise Thomas Endowed
Chair in Pediatric Cancer Research, was senior author of
the study, “Tumor-derived CD4(+)CD25 (+) regulatory T cell
suppression of dendritic cell function involves TGF-beta and
IL-10,” published in Cancer Immunology, Immunotherapy.
He also was senior author of the study, “Peritransplantation
vaccination with chaperone-rich cell lysate induces
antileukemia immunity,” published in Biology of Blood and
Marrow Transplantation.
Infectious Disease
Sean P. Elliott, MD, Associate Professor, was co-author on a
study published in Infectious Disease Clinics of North America,
titled “Botulism: the many faces of botulinum toxin and its
potential for bioterrorism.” Dr. Elliott was named “Clinical
Science Educator of the Year.”
Neonatology
Slava Dvorak, PhD, Research Associate Professor, was
promoted to Research Professor with a joint promotion to the
same rank in the Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy.
He also received a five-year renewal of his NIH R01 grant
titled, “Mechanisms of EGF-Mediated Reduction of Necrotizing
Enterocolitis.” Dr. Dvorak and his research team published a
study in the prestigious journal Gastroenterology titled, “Bile
Acids Induce Ileal Damage During Experimental Necrotizing
Enterocolitis.”
Melissa Halpern, PhD, Research Assistant Professor, received
the Imedex Research Award at the 2005 CCFA National
Research & Clinical Conference/Fourth Annual Advances in
the Inflammatory Bowel Diseases in Miami. In addition, Dr.
Halpern was the lead author of a study that was published in
Gastroenterology, titled “Bile Acids Induce Ileal Damage During
Experimental Necrotizing Enterocolitis.”
Pulmonary
Wayne Morgan, MD, Professor, was named “Basic Science
Educator of the Year.”
University Center on Disabilities
John Meaney, PhD, Research Associate Professor, received a
$1.4 million, four-year cooperative agreement from the CDC to
identify the number of children with autism spectrum disorder
and other developmental disabilities in Maricopa County.
GIVING THANKS
We appreciate every gift made to the Steele Children’s Research Center to improve children’s health. We want to
give special thanks to the following donors who gave $1,000 or more from January 2005-July 2006.
Adelante Foundation
Advanced Ceramics Research
Alan Bradley Roofing
All Fasteners Direct
Allstate Insurance Company
Susan Alofs
American Home Loans
American Openings, Inc.
Amgen, Inc.
Antaky Enterprises
Arizona Community Foundation
Arizona Elks Major Projects
Arizona Hometown Hauling
Armstrong McDonald Foundation
The Art Center
Attention Transit
Ashley Baiker
Banc One Management Corporation
Paul and Alice Baker
Bashas’ Charitable Fund
Beach, Fleischman & Co., P.C.
Jeff and Deborah Beardsley
Thomas and Julie Belgrad
Elizabeth Belsher
Stacy Berghoff
Borderland Construction Company
Larry Borges
Carolyn Bosworth
John and Paulette Bremond
Ben Brooks Jr.
Drew and Laurie Brown
Dolores Brown
Donald Budinger
Builders Accessories Inc.
C & C Dairy
Caitlin Robb Foundation
Campbell, Yost, Clare & Norell, PC
Canoa Development, Inc.
Joe Cantor
Catalina Mechanical Contracting
Joan Kaye Cauthorn
CBIZ Gordon Zucarelli & Handley
The Cristiani Foundation
Thomas and Martha Churchill
Andrew Clary
Gerie and Jan Clayton
Clear Channel Outdoor, Inc.
Clear Channel Worldwide
Jim and Vicki Click
Jerry and Joan Colangelo
Comcast Financial Agency
Compass Bank
Conley Publishing Group
Heather Cook
R. Ross Cowan
Crosstown Traders Inc.
Tina Curran
Eric Danziger
David & Sondra Mack Foundation
Michael and Mary Dawson
Michael and Robyn DeBell
Sari Deihl
Delta Delta Delta Tucson Alumnae
Desert Christian Schools
Diamond Ventures, Inc.
Mike DiChristofano
Tod Dickey
DM Federal Credit Union
DMB Associates
Dale Doehrman
Domino’s Pizza
Bennett and Jacquelynn Dorrance
Doucette Contractors
Dover Associates, LLC
Peter and Millie Economidis
Gary and Suellen Edens
Scott and Laura Eller
Stephen and Arduth Evans
ExG Investments
Father’s Day Council Tucson
Ferguson Enterprises
Fidelity National Title Agency
Fiesta Events, Inc.
Antoinette Findysz
First Commonwealth
Gary and Pamela Fitzgerald
Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse
Susan Fountain
Fox Restaurant Concepts
Frances Chapin Foundation
Stanley Friedman
Vincent and Shirley Fulginiti
Gadabout Salons & Day Spas
Donald Gall
General Reinsurance
The Glassman Foundation
Gregg and DeeAnne Gibbons
Golden Eagle Distributors
David Goldstein
Good News Radio Broadcasting
John Grace
Granite Construction Co.
Pamela Grant
Guardian Industries
Robert and Karolyn Gugino
Larry and Penny Gunning
Gust Rosenfeld P.L.C.
Megan Hachbarth
Half Way to Tucson Production
Brian and Bridget Hanger
Hanger P&O, Inc
Lee and Nancy Hanley
Michael Hanson
Harriet D. Brewster Foundation
Athena Hart-Kolle
C. Donald and Sandra Hatfield
Tori Heintzelman
David and Stephanie Helsten
Ralph and Maxine Henig
Henry Pope Foundation
Robert and Karen Hobbs
Thomas and Ruth Ann Hornaday
Horral Sales, Inc.
John and Maureen Hutter
Hutting Building Products
Interior Trends Remodel & Design
Mark Irvin
J P Industries, Inc.
Jeld-Wen Millwork Distribution
JFN Mechanical Contracting, Inc.
Jim Click Automotive
Joseph & Mary Cacioppo Foundation
Linda Kaplan
I. Michael and Beth Kasser
E.G.Kendrick
Kitchell Corporation
David and Pam Kolbe
Koudelka Sales, Inc.
Richard Kuhle
L P & G Inc.
Philip and Jane Lacovara
Nabeeh LaHood
Shalom Laytin
Len’s Auto Brokerage
Yoram and Helaine Levy
Lewis and Roca, L.L.P
Tiffanie Leyvas
Lines CS, PLC
John Lowe, Sr.
M&I Marshall & Ilsley Bank
Macerich Management Company
Marion and Sandra Magruder
Scott Maling
Marsh Risk & Insurance Service
Marshall Foundation
Robert and Elizabeth Matthews
Maurice & Meta Gross Foundation
Maury & Lillian Novak Charitable
Trust
Robert and Sandra Maxfield
Fletcher McCusker
Media Connections, Inc.
Men of the Active 20-30 Club
Matthew and Deborah Meyer
MNI Enterprises, Inc.
Kolby Moffatt
Moret Advertising, Inc.
Faye Morse
John and Caroline Musil
Benjamin Myers
Fred and Linda Nachman
National Childhood Cancer
Foundation
Bonnie Navarret
Stuart and Linda Nelson
Nicholas Family Foundation
Kathleen Nieto
Christopher Nieto
Andrew and Sylvia Norell
North Central Parenting Group
Northwest Hospital
Office of the Pima County
Attorney
Jill Olson
Omega Legal Systems Inc.
O’Rielly Chevrolet, Inc.
PANDA (People Acting Now
Discover Answers)
Julius and Dorothy Parker
Lisa Payne
Pepper-Viner Homes
Phi Beta Psi
Philadelphia Hardware Group
Philosophy, Inc.
Picor Commercial Real Estate
S.L. Pozez
James and Jane Prescott-Smith
Robert Present and Deborah
Oseran
Suzanne Propstra
Irene Pylman
Qualified Services, Inc.
Raise a Racquet for Kids
Raytheon Company
RBC Dain Rauscher
Ken Reycraft
Ritt Medical, Inc.
Alan Robertson
Rodel Charitable Foundation
James and Nancy Rodolph
Ron’s Concrete Construction
Jon and Peggy Rowley
Paul Rudolph
Joaquin and Bernadette Ruiz
Sara Courtney Memorial Walk/Run
Saul and Dian Rutin
Schering Laboratories
James and Carol Schmidt
Susan Schoff
William and Judith Schubert
Shattuck Hammond Partners LLC
Shenitzer Development, LLC
Sierra Aluminum Company, Inc.
Jeff Singleton
Siskiyou Forest Products
Susie Small
Snell & Wilmer L.L.P.
Southern Arizona Community
Bank
Volker and Lynne Sonntag
Southern Arizona Home Builders
Southwest Pet/Ct Institute, LLC
Southwestern Dakotah, Inc.
Spellman Hardwoods, Inc.
Standard Pacific of Tucson, Inc.
The Steele Foundation, Inc.
Michael Stilb
John Stiteler
Robert Strauss
The Strauss Foundation
William Street
Charles Strub
Betsy Taylor
Tee Up for Tots, Inc.
Tennis Shops, LLC
Susan Tewhill
Alfred and Louise Thomas
Steve and Jean Tkachyk
TMC Healthcare
Tohono O’Odham Nation
Tom White Carpentry, Inc.
Trail Dust Town
Tucson Communications LLC
Tucson Conquistadores
Tucson Downtown Sertoma Club
Tucson Fruit & Produce
Tucson Lifestyle Magazine
Tucson New Car Dealers Assoc.
Tucson Traditions, LLC
Glen Tullman
Donald and Sharon Ulrich
Terrye Underwood
The Underwood Family Trust
United Commercial Travelers
United Way of Tucson & So. Az
University Medical Center
University Physicians Healthcare
US Airways Group
Valley of the Sun United Way
Thomas and Kathryn Van Arsdale
Vanguard Charitable Endowment
Brett and Stephanie Waldo
Jimmy Walker
Thomas Warne
We Move Tucson, Inc.
Angela Weir
Wells Fargo Bank
Western Tire Centers, Inc.
Dan Wheeler
Richard and Linda Whitney
Bradley Wilde
Carol Williams
Diane Willian
The Wings Like Eagles Foundation
Robert and Peggy Withers
Mark Witten
Women of the Active 20-30 Club
World Advertising & Marketing
Shu Yang
Kathleen Ybarra
Mel and Enid Zuckerman
Zurich Insurance
12
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Department of Pediatrics Faculty Fayez K. Ghishan, MD, Professor and Head
Cardiology
Brent Barber, MD
Assistant Professor
Clinical Pediatrics
Richard Donnerstein, MD
Professor
Ian Jongewaard, PhD
Research Assistant Professor
Scott Klewer, MD
Associate Professor
Daniela Lax, MD
Associate Professor
Ricardo Samson, MD
Associate Professor
Critical Care
Marc Berg, MD
Associate Professor
Clinical Pediatrics
Robert Berg, MD
Professor, Pediatrics
Matthew Gollub, MD
Assistant Professor
Clinical Pediatrics
Juan Gutierrez, MD
Associate Professor
Clinical Pediatrics
Michael Karadsheh, MD
Assistant Professor
Clinical Pediatrics
Robyn Meyer, MD
Associate Professor
Clinical Pediatrics
Andreas Theodorou, MD
Professor
Clinical Pediatrics
Mark Witten, PhD
Research Professor
Simon Wong, MD
Research Assistant Professor
Endocrinology
Kurt Griffin, MD
Assistant Professor
Mark Wheeler, MD
Associate Professor
Clinical Pediatrics
Mona Zawaideh, MD
Assistant Professor
Gastroenterology
Liqun Bai, MD
Research Assistant Professor
Fayez K. Ghishan, MD
Professor and
Department Head
Hassan Hassan, MD
Associate Professor
Clinical Pediatrics
Pawel Kiela, PhD
Research Associate Professor
Hua Xu, PhD
Research Assistant Professor
Developmental &
Behavioral Pediatrics
Sydney A. Rice, MD, MS
Assistant Professor
Clinical Pediatrics
General Pediatrics
Michael Aldous, MD
Associate Professor
Clinical Pediatrics
Thomas Ball, MD
Associate Professor
Clinical Pediatrics
Leslie Barton, MD
Professor
Kathryn Bowen, MD
Associate Professor
Clinical Pediatrics
Conrad Clemens, MD
Associate Professor
Clinical Pediatrics
Karen Davenport, MD
Assistant Professor
Clinical Pediatrics
Burris Duncan, MD
Professor Emeritus
Kimberly Gerhart, MD
Assistant Professor
Clinical Pediatrics
Kristine Kaemingk, PhD
Associate Professor
Clinical Pediatrics
Tracey Kurtzman, MD
Assistant Professor
Clinical Pediatrics
William Madden, MD
Associate Professor
Clinical Pediatrics
William Marshall Jr., MD
Professor
Clinical Pediatrics
Deborah Riesen, MD
Clinical Lecturer
Richard Wahl, MD
Associate Professor
Clinical Pediatrics
Genetics
Murray Brilliant, PhD
Professor
Orit Cohen-Barak, PhD
Research Assistant Professor
Christopher Cunniff, MD
Professor
Robert Erickson, MD
Professor
Sherman Garver, PhD
Research Associate Professor
Randall Heidenreich, MD
Professor
Hematology/Oncology
Samita Andreansky, PhD
Research Assistant Professor
Martin Andreansky, MD
Assistant Professor
Clinical Pediatrics
Rochelle Bagatell, MD
Associate Professor
Michael Graham, MD
Associate Professor
Emmanuel Katsanis, MD
Professor
Kartik Krishnan, MD
Assistant Professor
Brenda Wittman, MD
Assistant Professor
Clinical Pediatrics
Hospital Medicine/
Outreach
Ronald S. Grant, MD
Clinical Lecturer
Cleo Hardin, MD
Associate Professor
Clinical Pediatrics
Sandra Herron, MD
Clinical Lecturer
Eliza Holland, MD
Clinical Lecturer
Chan Lowe, Jr., MD
Assistant Professor
Clinical Pediatrics
Elizabeth Seelbach, MD
Assistant Professor
Clinical Pediatrics
Infectious Diseases
Sean Elliot, MD
Associate Professor
Clinical Pediatrics
Ziad Shehab, MD
Professor
Clinical Pediatrics
Neonatology
Heather Cahan, MD
Assistant Professor
Bohuslav Dvorak, PhD
Research Associate Professor
Edith Edde, DO
Assistant Professor
Clinical Pediatrics
Allen Erenberg, MD
Professor
Clinical Pediatrics
Melissa Halpern, PhD
Research Assistant Professor
Catherine Tsai, MD
Assistant Professor
Clinical Pediatrics
Jonathan Wispé, MD
Professor
Nephrology
Mona Zawaideh, MD
Assistant Professor
Pharmacology/Toxicology
Leslie Boyer, MD
Associate Professor
Clinical Pediatrics
Pulmonary
Mark Brown, MD
Professor
Clinical Pediatrics
Fernando Martinez, MD
Professor
Wayne Morgan, MD
Professor
Anne Wright, PhD
Research Professor
University Center on
Disabilities (UCD)
Melinda Davis, PhD
Research Assistant Professor
John Meaney, PhD
Research Associate Professor
Phoenix Clerkship
Program
Kipp Charlton, MD
Clinical Associate Professor
Maricopa Medical Center
John Muhm Jr., MD
Clinical Assistant Professor
Phoenix Children’s Hospital
Lilia Parra-Riode, MD
Clinical Assistant Professor
St. Joseph’s Hospital
Mitchell Shub, MD
Professor, Clinical Pediatrics
Phoenix Children’s Hospital
Steele Children’s Research Center Boards
Tucson Advisory Board
Chair, Andrew Norell
Board Members
Judy Abrams
Michael Carlier
Joan Kaye Cauthorn
Ginny Clements
Robert Davis
Gowan Deckey, MD
Norma Feldman
Shirley Fulginiti
DeeAnne Gibbons
Karen Green
Howard Gwynn
Sandra Hatfield
Mark Kipphut
William Krauss
Philip Lacovara, PhD
John Lewis
Matthew Meyer
Ruth Mondschein, PhD
Ray Novak, MD
Kathy Orr
Larry Ring
Rick Rollman
Steve Rosenberg
Peggy Rowley
Bernadette Ruiz
Dian Lieberthal Rutin
Cynthia Goodman Shaw
David Sitton
Judy Smedes
Caroline “Lekki” Smith
Tom Strasburg
Life Members
Joan Diamond
Virginia Furrow, MD
Maxine Henig
Cele Peterson
Lynn Taussig, MD
Louise Thomas
Honorary Members
Frank Fieldhouse
Robert McCleery
Yvonne Huth
Ex-Officio Members
Monica Delisa
Bob Erickson, MD
Fayez Ghishan, MD
Scott Klewer, MD
Bryan Rowland
Darci Slaten
Ann Stevens
Phoenix Advisory Board
Chair, Kim Sterling
Board Members
Kirk Aleck, MD
Betty Belsher
John Checkett
Mary Chick
Robyn DeBell
Jodi Freeman
Penny Gunning
Annette Heasman
Patti Lau
Bill Mack
Phillipa Maltese
Karen Meyer
Andy Plattner
Bill Ridenour
Jan Neal Riemar
Joan Rankin Shapiro, PhD
Mitchell (Mitch) Shub, MD
Margot Smith
Greg Stanton
Judy Walruff, PhD
Richard (Dick) Whitney
Ex-Officio Member
Monica Delisa
All contents ©2006 Arizona Board of
Regents. All rights reserved.
The University of Arizona is
an equal opportunity, affirmative action
institution. The University prohibits
discrimination in its programs and activities
on the basis of race, color, religion, sex,
national origin, age, disability, veteran
status, or sexual orientation and is
committed to maintaining an environment
free from sexual harassment and retaliation.
About the Cover:
Cover photo is Steele Center
Tucson advisory board member
Ginny Clements and her darling
granddaughter, Grace Catherine
Clements, 5 ½. Ginny has served on
the Steele Center board since 1997
and is a passionate advocate for
children’s health issues.
CREDITS:
Editor/Writer/Art Director
Darci Slaten, MA
Director of Communications
Editorial Board
Monica Delisa, MA
Director of Development
George Humphrey, MA
Director, AHSC Office of Public Affairs
Ann Stevens
Assistant Director of Development
Graphic Design
Roma Krebs
AHSC Biomedical Communications
Photography
Cover Photo: Martha Lochert
Margaret Hartshorn
AHSC Biomedical Communications
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Darci Slaten